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New wave of bills targeting libraries is ‘a threat to our democracy,’ American Library Association warns

The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.

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PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE: ALA to discuss new directions for digital content at Annual Conference

LAS VEGAS—The ebooks conference session “ALA and Moving Ahead with Digital Content” will now take place on Saturday, June 28, 2014, from 1:30 to 2:40 p.m. in the Las Vegas Convention Center, room N255/257. Previously, the session was set to take place at...

ALA applauds Simon & Schuster nationwide expansion of library ebook lending

WASHINGTON—On the first day of its 2014 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, the American Library Association (ALA) welcomes news (pdf) from Simon & Schuster that it will convert its pilot library ebook lending program to serve all U.S. libraries. ALA...

Tablet Computers in School Libraries and Classrooms

Tablet computers in school libraries and classrooms discussed in new e-book

CHICAGO — According to Pew Research, nearly a quarter of teens already own a tablet computer, with younger children not far behind. With the use of these handheld devices continuing to grow by leaps and bounds each year, tablets are coming to your school...

New American Libraries supplement examines major trends in digital content

Washington, D.C.—Leading library visionaries and experts discuss trends in digital content technology and the current state of library ebook lending in “ Digital Discoveries,” a new digital supplement from American Libraries magazine. "There is some...

ALA to discuss new directions for digital content at Annual Conference

LAS VEGAS—How much do you know about the American Library Association’s (ALA) efforts to advance ebook access in libraries? Learn about recent ebook activities and future plans for digital content more broadly during the session “ALA and Moving Ahead with...

ASCLA creates new consortial e-books interest group

CHICAGO — The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association, members have approved a petition to create the new interest group: Consortial E-books. The purpose of ASCLA’s Consortial E...

ALA President applauds creation of 'Right to E-read' campaign

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA) launched the “ Right to E-read” campaign, a new initiative that enables libraries to advocate for library e-books. In response, Barbara Stripling...

Tablet Computers in the Academic Library

New e-book examines tablet computers in the academic library

CHICAGO — In the past few years tablet computing has seemingly emerged from nowhere to spark exciting conversations about the future of academic library use and instruction, touching on everything from textbooks to reference services. Electronic...

American Libraries Live

Next American Libraries Live covers the present and future of e-books

CHICAGO — Sue Polanka, e-book expert and co-editor of the new journal eContent Quarterly, leads “ The Present and Future of E-books,” an interactive discussion featuring an all-star panel. Please tune in at 2 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, March 13 for this...

The ebook revolution expands

PHILADELPHIA—Over the past year, what has the American Library Association (ALA) done to improve access to ebooks and other digital content? Hear about recent ALA Digital Content Working Group activities at the 2014 American Library Association Midwinter...

Pew study “Libraries and Society” illustrates expanding roles of U.S. libraries

An overwhelming majority of Americans acknowledge that public libraries offer more than just books and provide community-tailored programs and services that improve the quality of life, according to “How Americans value public libraries in their...